Page 33 of Kalix
Even though I already know the answer, because it’s Kalix, I ask anyway, “Oh, so you were serious about not leaving?”
He smirks, then turns around, and I think he’s ignoring me. But before he gets out of my line of sight, he throws his head over his shoulder, “You should know better by now, Little Rabbit. You’re not getting rid of me.”
I swallow as the butterflies start to flutter around in my stomach.
My emotions are a bit mixed right now.
On one hand I should be fucking terrified, running for the hills in the opposite direction. Throwing a match and letting it burn everything in my path along the way. I should be scared right now. Like, what kind of lunatic goes and gives an obsessed stalker their virginity? The one thing that’s so intimate and you can never get back. I’ll admit it is a little frightening.
But on the other hand, I’m intrigued. Excited, even.
I’ve never had someone care for me like he does. Sure, he breaks in and takes my things sometimes, but at least he brought them back, even though it wasn’t in a conventional way. He knows what my favorite snacks are, gives me Mary, and my favorite flowers. And now he’s ordering me food after he cleaned me up.
See? The emotions are mixed because he has something that nobody else has or will ever get to possess. He’s awakened something in me that I never thought could be possible anytime soon, and I can’t wait to explore that further.
CHAPTER 26
KALIX
There’sa comfortable silence between us as we eat our breakfast. No need for talking, just two people munching on their food after an intense last twenty-four hours.
Once we’re both done, I clear our plates. I feel Lainey’s eyes on me without the need to turn around to prove it, so I take time with my movements. Slow my steps just a little more, take a little longer to find the trash can, despite me knowing exactly where it is.
When I’m back at the table, I lean back in the chair and take a sip of my coffee.
“So, what’s up?”
“Is that a weed tattoo?”
I snort, the question sounds absolutely ludicrous, but also, she’s not wrong about her observation.
“Why yes, yes it is.”
“Is it a birthday cake?”
I turn around so thenewer piece on my shoulder faces her so she can answer her own question. Yes, it’s a wedding cake in the shape of a weed leaf.
“Wedding cake, if we’re being specific here. I got it after I got you that joint last weekend, it was a strain of indica called wedding cake. Felt like it was fitting.”
Her delicate fingertips trace the ink, causing a shiver to run up my spine. Fuck, she affects me like no other.
Her hand pulls away, and the loss of contact has me turning back around. Her eyes trace over my body, and I have to physically stop myself from flexing a little and peacocking around her. Her eyes on me makes me feel like I need to show off even more.
“So, what are the plans for today?” I ask, moving on from the new ink.
Lainey takes a drink of her own caffeine before responding, “I really need to go to the library. I’ve been a littledistractedthe last couple days, and I need to play catch up now. I’m behind on homework and studying, and there’s tests and papers and—” the palm of her hand meets her forehead and the little line between her brows reappears, the stress written clearly all over her facial features.
“Okay, how about this,” I say, taking her hand and rubbing little circles on the soft skin between her thumb and forefinger, “I’ll drop you off at the library, and once we get you set up, I’ll head to the store and pick you up some drinks and snacks. When I get back, we’ll set up, picnic style, and I’ll help however I can. Deal?”
“Yes, that sounds amazing. I’ll get ready right now!”
She jumps up, leaving me at the table, and I can’t help the smirk that forms at her enthusiasm. I get up and walk to her doorway, leaning against the doorjamb, as I watch her throw books and other materials into her backpack before stripping out of her pajamas. My thumb traces my lower lip as my eyes trace her body. Fuck, I’m hard again.
I stalk to where we threw our clothes last night, put on my shirt, and get my own shit ready.
Once we’re both packed, we load onto the bike and head towards campus. She doesn’t live far, so I make an extra trip around the block just to feel her body pressed against mine a little longer. I’m really not wanting to push my luck, though. She hasn’t kicked me out again this morning, and there was no debate about her getting on my bike, so I’m taking the win for what it is.
It’s a Sunday, so I pull straight onto the sidewalk and up to the library doors, so Lainey won’t have to walk as far before we make our way in together and get her set up.
